Aconcagua Expedition Dispatch

We have come a long way already! This morning, Friday, we drove a few kilometers up the highway from our hotel and got the first view our mountain, Aconcagua!

Thursday morning in Mendoza we had to go to the park headquarters to have our climbing permits issued. Sergio, Osvaldo and Maria went ahead of us to begin filling out all the forms.

Neil taking it easy in the Park office while we waited for the application process to be completed.

After we got our permits and before we left Mendoza we went to a mountaineering shop for some last minute items.

We’ve been telling Dan that he needs a warmer down jacket and he found a great deal on this one.

Back to Friday morning…. We drove to the Chilean border to look around. What a place to be!

By the time we stepped out of Osvaldo’s SUV on the Chilean border we were at 3800 meters elevation. The air is thin up here!

Dan has dreamed of visiting the Andes Mountains since he was 6 years old. He finally made it!

Friday afternoon we were back at the hotel relaxing a bit.

Neil feeling determined for the mountain but relaxed at the hotel Friday afternoon. This will be our last day indoors for a while!

BAI guide Aconcagua guide team: Sergio, Maria and Osvaldo

Our duffel bags labeled “Confluencia” and Plaza de “Mulas” have been taken to the corral where the mules are organized. One last night sleeping in beds and our team will be on the way on Saturday morning!